Roy Wilson

December 18, 1928 - February 16, 2008

Roy Wilson, 79, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully in his home in Newport Beach on Saturday, February 16, 2008.

The youngest of two sons, LeRoy “Roy” Gordon Wilson was born to the late Curtis and Lillian Wilson in Los Angeles, CA on December 18, 1928. Roy was a “beach kid” his whole life and was fond of days spent at the ocean’s edge growing up with his late brother, Dick. Roy met his wife of 59 years, Doris, through a friend in his late teens. They instantly fell in love and were married October 2, 1948. Roy was a devoted husband and family man; he and Doris raised five children together in the Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, and Newport Beach areas. 32 years ago, they moved down to the Balboa Peninsula, where they have enjoyed living within walking distance of the majority of their children and grandchildren. Roy was often seen riding his bike through the neighborhood, greeting friends and family and making friends along the way. He was always the first to ask how others were doing and was constantly looking for a way to help out friends in need.

Roy was a born salesman, and he began his sales career in the pastry business as a baker of pies, doughnuts, and pastries, eventually becoming a delivery man and then a sales representative. Around 1964, Roy entered the car sales arena. He worked alongside his brother at Dick Wilson Ford in Redondo Beach and Wilson Ford in Huntington Beach. In 1980, Roy opened his own car dealership, Sea & Sun Subaru in Huntington Beach. His friendly demeanor and likeable personality led him to great success in the car business, and he won multiple awards and recognitions for his sales records.

After many years of success in the car business, Roy officially retired in 1992, though he always kept his hand in the business to some extent for the remainder of his life. He also became a successful real estate investor, managing many properties on the Balboa peninsula and throughout Orange County. After retirement, Roy and Doris enjoyed extensive traveling and saw most of the world together. Roy loved to talk about his travels – it was easier to ask him where he hadn’t been than where he had been because the list had grown so long. Roy and Doris have passed their passion for traveling on to their children and grandchildren – a major highlight came when they took the entire family to Tahiti to renew their wedding vows for their 50^th wedding anniversary.

Roy was also an avid lover of all kinds of music, particularly opera, classical, and musical theater. He shared his love of music with his children – they all have fond memories of constant music flowing through the house. His grandchildren have wonderful memories of countless trips to the Nutcracker with grandma and grandpa, among many other theater shows they were treated to in their lifetimes.

Roy loved God and this was most evident in his life through his compassion toward others; he was often the first person to reach into his pocket and pull out extra change for someone in need. He was an avid supporter of many charities. Roy was known to all who loved him as a caring, faith-filled, fun-loving, welcoming, generous family man. Anyone who met him immediately knew about his family and felt included as part of his family – “stranger” did not seem to be in his vocabulary – everyone he met became a good friend. He viewed each life experience as an opportunity for adventure. Roy was a big personality who was known for his great storytelling, his genuine smile, his loving hugs, his infectious laugh, and consistently positive attitude.

Roy is survived by his loving wife Doris Wilson; son and daughter-in-law Bob and Roberta Wilson; son Tom Wilson; daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Tony Beck; son and daughter-in-law Don and Becky Wilson; son and daughter-in-law Jim Wilson and Annette Flores; 11 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.

Memorial Services celebrating Roy’s life will be held Saturday, March 1, 2008 in Newport Beach, CA.

In lieu of flowers, Roy would be honored if you donated to his favorite charity, the Fred Jordan Mission, in his name: Fred Jordan Missions PO Box 12345 Covina, CA 91722